JP2006301431A - Image forming device and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of properly applying a developing voltage to a development device, and an image forming system. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device comprises an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a development device for developing the latent image carrying by the image carrier, a first electrode plate, a rotating body which can rotate while holding the developing device, and first and second contact parts which contact the first electrode plate, when the rotating body is at a predetermined position. The device also comprises a second electrode plate disposed in the body of the image forming device, a developing voltage applying part for applying developing voltage to the development device via the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate which contacts the first electrode plate, when the rotating body is at the predetermined position, and a resin part disposed on the rotating body, which only the first contacting part of the first and second contacting parts contacts, when the rotating body rotates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

  Image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers are already well known. Such an image forming apparatus includes, for example, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier by a developer, and a rotatable rotation holding the developing device. And having a body. In this image forming apparatus, when an image signal or the like is transmitted from an external device such as a host computer, the rotating body rotates to position the developing device at a developing position facing the image bearing body, and is carried by the image bearing body. The latent image is developed with a developer in a developing device to form a developer image, the developer image is transferred to a medium, and finally an image is formed on the medium.

The image forming apparatus includes a developing voltage application unit for applying a developing voltage to the developing device when forming a developer image. In addition, a first electrode plate is provided on the rotating body and a second electrode plate is provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus so that the developing voltage applying unit can apply the developing voltage to the developing device. The second electrode plate includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at a predetermined position (position where the developing device faces the image carrier). Yes. The developing voltage application unit applies the developing voltage to the developing device via the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in contact with the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. To do.
JP 2003-15409 A

  The rotating body is provided with a resin sliding contact portion in which the second electrode plate is slidably contacted when the rotating body rotates. When the rotating body rotates, the second electrode plate may scrape the sliding contact portion. If the amount of scraping of the sliding contact portion by the second electrode plate becomes excessive, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate may not be properly energized. In such a case, the developing voltage application unit cannot appropriately apply the developing voltage to the developing device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to realize an image forming apparatus and an image forming system in which a developing voltage is appropriately applied to the developing device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the main present invention includes an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier, and a first electrode plate. An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotating body capable of holding and rotating the developing device; and a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact the first electrode plate when the rotating body is positioned at a predetermined position. When the second electrode plate provided in the main body and the rotating body is located at the predetermined position, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in contact with the first electrode plate, A developing voltage application unit for applying a developing voltage to the developing device, and the first contact unit that is provided in the rotating body, and the first contact unit and the second contact unit are rotated when the rotating body rotates. And an slidable contact portion made of a resin that only contacts.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

An image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developing device for developing a latent image carried on the image carrier, and a first electrode plate, and a rotatable rotating body holding the developing device And a second electrode plate provided in an image forming apparatus main body, comprising a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at a predetermined position; A developing voltage for applying a developing voltage to the developing device via the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate contacting the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. An application portion, a resin-made sliding contact portion that is provided on the rotating body, and only the first contact portion of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is in sliding contact with the rotating body; An image forming apparatus comprising:
According to such an image forming apparatus, since the second contact portion does not slidably contact the sliding contact portion when the rotating body rotates, it is possible to suppress the scraping of the resin sliding contact portion by the second electrode plate. Therefore, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus in which a developing voltage is appropriately applied to the developing device.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, the rotating body includes the first electrode plate and the sliding contact portion on a side surface of the rotating body orthogonal to the rotation axis, and one end side of the second electrode plate is The other end side is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body, and the second electrode plate has the first contact portion at one of the forks and the second contact portion at the other of the forks. The first contact portion may be located closer to the rotation shaft than the second contact portion in the radial direction of the rotating body.
In such a case, compared with the case where the sliding contact portion is provided on the side surface of the rotating body, the sliding contact portion that is slidably contacted by the second electrode plate per rotation of the rotating body can be reduced. . For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress the scraping of the sliding contact portion by the second electrode plate when the rotating body rotates.

Further, the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of the developing devices held by the rotating body, and the rotating body includes the first electrode plate corresponding to each of the plurality of developing devices, The sliding contact portion is provided between the first electrode plates along the circumferential direction of the rotating body, and the first contact portion is connected to the sliding contact portion as the rotating body rotates. The sliding contact and the contact with the first electrode plate are alternately performed, and the developing voltage applying unit is configured to support the first electrode plate corresponding to one developing device when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. The developing voltage may be applied to the one developing device via the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in contact with the first electrode plate.
When the rotating body holds a plurality of developing devices and the developing voltage application unit applies a developing voltage for each developing device as the rotating body rotates, the image forming apparatus can form a color image. When a color image is formed, the frequency with which the second electrode plate is in sliding contact with the sliding contact portion increases. For this reason, in the above case, the effect of suppressing the scraping of the sliding contact portion by the second electrode plate when the rotating body rotates is more effectively achieved.

In the image forming apparatus, the slidable contact portion includes a slidable contact portion protruding surface protruding in an axial direction of the rotating body, and when the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion is The sliding contact portion protruding surface may be slidably contacted, and a height of the sliding contact portion protruding surface from the side surface of the rotating body may be constant in the radial direction.
In such a case, when the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion can come into sliding contact with the entire protruding surface of the sliding contact portion. For this reason, since it is difficult for an uneven load to act on a part of sliding contact part protrusion surface by a 1st contact part, when a rotary body rotates, the scraping of the sliding contact part protrusion surface by a 1st contact part is suppressed. Is possible.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, the rotating body is a resin mounting portion for mounting the first electrode plate, and the mounting portion protruding surface protruding in the axial direction of the rotating body, A mounting portion formed on the protruding surface of the mounting portion and having a mounting hole for mounting the first electrode plate, wherein the first electrode plate protrudes in the axial direction from the protruding surface of the mounting portion, It is good also as having a to-be-contacted surface with which the said 2nd electrode plate contacts when a rotary body is located in the said predetermined position.
If the slidable contact surface protrudes more axially than the mounting portion protruding surface, the second contact portion is difficult to slidably contact the mounting portion protruding surface before contacting the contacted surface. It becomes possible to suppress the shaving of the part.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, when the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion that comes into sliding contact with the sliding contact portion contacts the front first electrode plate before the second contact portion. It is good to do.
In such a case, since the second contact portion is lifted by the first contact portion coming into contact with the first electrode plate during the rotation of the rotating body, the first contact portion is attached before the second contact portion contacts the first electrode plate. It becomes possible to prevent the part from being cut.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, the one end of the sliding contact portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body projects in the axial direction from the mounting portion projecting surface. It may be connected to the department.
In such a case, since the second contact portion is unlikely to contact the attachment portion when the rotating body rotates, it is possible to suppress the attachment portion from being scraped by the second contact portion.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, the first electrode plate is coated with conductive grease, and the other end portion of the sliding contact portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body is It is good also as not connecting with an attaching part.
When conductive grease is applied to the first electrode plate, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are effectively energized. When the other end portion and the attachment portion are not connected, the conductive grease adheres to the sliding contact portion located between the two first electrode plates by the rotation of the rotating body, and the two first electrodes It can prevent that a board energizes. For this reason, in the above case, the development voltage application unit can more appropriately apply the development voltage to the development device.

An image carrier for carrying a latent image, a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier, and a first electrode plate, and holding the developing device and being rotatable A rotating body, and a second electrode plate provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, including a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact the first electrode plate when the rotating body is positioned at a predetermined position; And applying a developing voltage to the developing device via the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate contacting the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. A developing voltage application unit and a resin-made sliding contact portion that is provided on the rotating body and in which only the first contact portion of the first contact portion and the second contact portion slides when the rotating body rotates. The rotating body includes the first electrode plate and the sliding contact portion on a side surface of the rotating body orthogonal to the rotation axis. The one end side of the second electrode plate is fixed to the image forming apparatus main body, and the other end side is bifurcated. The second electrode plate has the first contact portion at one of the bifurcated portions, and the bifurcated portion. The second contact portions are respectively provided on the other side, and the first contact portions are positioned closer to the rotation shaft than the second contact portions in the radial direction of the rotating body, and are held by the rotating body. A plurality of the developing devices, and the rotating body includes the first electrode plate corresponding to each of the plurality of developing devices, and the sliding contact portion is arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating body. Provided between the first electrode plates, the first contact portion alternately performs sliding contact with the sliding contact portion and contact with the first electrode plate as the rotating body rotates. The developing voltage application unit corresponds to one developing device when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. The developing voltage is applied to the one developing device via the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in contact with the first electrode plate, and the sliding contact portion is a shaft of the rotating body. A sliding contact portion protruding surface protruding in the direction, and when the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion is in sliding contact with the sliding contact portion protruding surface, and the rotating body of the sliding contact portion protruding surface The height from the side surface is constant in the radial direction, and the rotating body is a resin mounting portion for mounting the first electrode plate, and the mounting protrudes in the axial direction of the rotating body. A mounting portion having a protrusion portion and a mounting hole formed on the mounting portion protrusion surface for mounting the first electrode plate, wherein the first electrode plate is more than the protrusion portion protrusion surface. A contacted surface that protrudes in the axial direction and contacts the second electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. And when the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion slidably contacting the slidable contact portion contacts the front first electrode plate before the second contact portion, and the slidable portion One end of the contact portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body is connected to the mounting portion in a state of protruding in the axial direction from the mounting portion protruding surface, and the first electrode plate includes An image forming apparatus, wherein conductive grease is applied, and the other end portion of the sliding contact portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body is not connected to the attachment portion.
According to such an image forming apparatus, an effect capable of realizing an image forming apparatus in which a developing voltage is appropriately applied to the developing device is most effectively exhibited.

A computer and an image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, an image carrier for carrying a latent image, and a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier; A rotating body that includes the first electrode plate and is rotatable while holding the developing device, and a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact the first electrode plate when the rotating body is positioned at a predetermined position. A second electrode plate provided in the image forming apparatus main body, and the second electrode that contacts the first electrode plate and the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. A developing voltage applying unit for applying a developing voltage to the developing device via a plate; and provided on the rotating body. When the rotating body rotates, the first contact unit and the second contact unit Among them, an image forming having a resin sliding contact portion in which only the first contact portion is in sliding contact Image forming system characterized by comprising: location, the.
According to such an image forming system, since the second contact portion does not slide in contact with the sliding contact portion when the rotating body rotates, it is possible to suppress the scraping of the resin sliding contact portion by the second electrode plate. Therefore, it is possible to realize an image forming system in which a developing voltage is appropriately applied to the developing device.

=== Overview of Image Forming Apparatus ===
A configuration example and an operation example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 by taking a laser beam printer (hereinafter also referred to as “printer”) 10 as an example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control unit 100 of the printer 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the yellow developing device 54. In FIG. 1, the vertical direction is indicated by arrows. For example, the paper feed tray 92 is disposed at the lower part of the printer 10, and the fixing unit 90 is disposed at the upper part of the printer 10.

<Configuration Example of Printer 10>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, and a rotation unit along the rotation direction of a photoconductor 20 as an example of an image carrier for carrying a latent image. A developing unit holding unit 50, a primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer body 70, and a cleaning blade 76 as an example of a body, and a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, and these units and the like to control the printer The control unit 100 is in charge of the operation.

  The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is rotatable around a central axis. In the present embodiment, the photoreceptor 20 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Rotate clockwise.

  The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20 charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an F-θ lens, and the like, and charges the modulated laser based on an image signal input from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a word processor. The irradiated photoconductor 20 is irradiated.

  The developing device holding unit 50 stores the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in the toner T stored in the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 as an example of the developing device, that is, in the black developing device 51. Black (K) toner, magenta (M) toner contained in the magenta developing unit 52, cyan (C) toner contained in the cyan developing unit 53, and yellow (Y) toner contained in the yellow developing unit 54 are used. It is an apparatus for developing.

  The developing device holding unit 50 can move the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by rotating with the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 being mounted. It is said. That is, the developing device holding unit 50 holds the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by the four attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, and the four developing devices 51, 52, and 53 are provided. , 54 are rotatable about the rotation axis 50e while maintaining their relative positions. Each time image formation for one page is completed, it is selectively opposed to the photoconductor 20, and is formed on the photoconductor 20 with toner accommodated in each of the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54. The latent images are developed sequentially. The detailed configuration of the developing device holding unit 50 will be described later.

  Each of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 is connected to a printer main body 10 a as an example of the image forming apparatus main body, more specifically, an attaching / detaching portion 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d of the developing device holding unit 50. On the other hand, it is removable. Since the four developing units 51, 52, 53, and 54 have the same configuration, the configuration of the yellow developing unit 54 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 3, the yellow developing device 54 includes a developing roller 510, a housing 540, positioning pins 588, and a developing device electrode plate 590.

  The developing roller 510 is made of metal, carries toner, transports it to a developing position facing the photoconductor 20, and develops the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20 by the toner transported to the developing position. More specifically, from the development bias application unit 125 (FIG. 2) as an example of the development voltage application unit, the unit electrode plate 280 (FIG. 5) as an example of the first electrode plate and the unit electrode plate 280 are contacted. When a developing bias is applied to the developing roller 510 via the printer main body electrode plate 300 (FIG. 7) as an example of the second electrode plate, an alternating electric field is formed between the developing roller 510 and the photoreceptor 20. Then, the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 is developed. Details of the unit electrode plate 280 and the printer main body electrode plate 300 will be described later.

  The housing 540 contains toner. The positioning pin 588 is for positioning the yellow developing device 54 to the developing device holding unit 50 (specifically, the attaching / detaching portion 50d), and is fitted to the positioning recess 250 (FIG. 5). The developing device electrode plate 590 is provided on one end in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54 (FIG. 3), and is in contact with the shaft end of the developing roller 510. Further, the developing device electrode plate 590 includes an electrode plate exposing portion 591 exposed from a cover 585 provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the yellow developing device 54. The electrode plate exposed portion 591 is in contact with the unit electrode plate 280 corresponding to the yellow developing device 54.

  The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring a single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. When four color toners are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, the full color toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. An image is formed. The intermediate transfer member 70 is an endless belt, and is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 20.

  The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a recording medium such as paper, film, or cloth. The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single color toner image or a full color toner image transferred onto a recording medium onto a recording medium such as paper to form a permanent image.

  The cleaning blade 76 is made of rubber and is in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor 20. The cleaning blade 76 scrapes and removes the toner remaining on the photoconductor 20 after the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60.

  The photoconductor unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the exposure unit 40, and stores the photoconductor 20, the charging unit 30, the cleaning blade 76, and the toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 (not shown). A waste toner container is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 100 includes a main controller 101 and a unit controller 102. An image signal is input to the main controller 101, and the unit controller 102 responds to an instruction based on the image signal. The unit is controlled to form an image.

<Operation Example of Printer 10>
Next, the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to other components.

  First, when an image signal from a host computer (not shown) is input to the main controller 101 of the printer 10 via the interface (I / F) 112, the photosensitive device is controlled by the unit controller 102 based on a command from the main controller 101. The developing roller 510 and the intermediate transfer member 70 provided on the body 20, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 rotate. The photoconductor 20 is sequentially charged by the charging unit 30 at the charging position while rotating.

  The charged area of the photoconductor 20 reaches an exposure position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and a latent image corresponding to image information of the first color, for example, yellow Y, is formed in the area by the exposure unit 40. . Further, the developing device holding unit 50 positions the yellow developing device 54 containing yellow (Y) toner at a developing position facing the photoconductor 20.

  The latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the development position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is developed with yellow toner by the yellow developing device 54. That is, the latent image on the photoconductor 20 is developed by the developing roller 510 to which the developing bias is applied from the developing bias applying unit 125. As a result, a yellow toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 20.

  The yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 reaches the primary transfer position as the photoconductor 20 rotates, and is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. At this time, a primary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer unit 60. During this time, the secondary transfer unit 80 is separated from the intermediate transfer member 70.

  By repeating the above processing for the second color, the third color, and the fourth color, the four color toner images corresponding to the respective image signals are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 70 in an overlapping manner. . As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 70.

  The full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 reaches the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer body 70 rotates, and is transferred to the recording medium by the secondary transfer unit 80. The recording medium is conveyed from the paper feed tray 92 to the secondary transfer unit 80 via the paper feed roller 94 and the registration roller 96. When performing the transfer operation, the secondary transfer unit 80 is pressed against the intermediate transfer body 70 and a secondary transfer voltage is applied.

  The full color toner image transferred to the recording medium is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 90 and fused to the recording medium. On the other hand, after the primary transfer position has elapsed, the toner adhering to the surface of the photoconductor 20 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 76 to prepare for charging for forming the next latent image. The toner scraped off is collected in a waste toner container.

=== Overview of Control Unit ===
Next, the configuration of the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main controller 101 of the control unit 100 is connected to a host computer via an interface 112 and includes an image memory 113 for storing image signals input from the host computer. The unit controller 102 is electrically connected to each unit (the charging unit 30, the exposure unit 40, the developing device holding unit 50, the primary transfer unit 60, the photosensitive unit 75, the secondary transfer unit 80, and the fixing unit 90). Each unit is controlled based on a signal input from the main controller 101 while detecting a state of each unit by receiving a signal from a sensor included in the.

=== Developing position, communication position, and attaching / detaching position of the developing device ===
As described above, the developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 move with the movement of the attaching / detaching portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. At this time, the attaching / detaching portion moves so that each developing device is located at a predetermined developing position and attaching / detaching position. Since the developing position and the attaching / detaching position of each developing device are the same, the developing position and attaching / detaching position of the yellow developing device 54 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the developing device holding unit 50 and the like when the yellow developing device 54 is located at the developing position. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the developing device holding unit 50 and the like when the yellow developing device 54 is located at the attachment / detachment position. FIG. 4C is a view showing a state where the developing device holding unit 50 is located at the home position.

  In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the yellow developing device 54 is located at the developing position where the developing roller 510 faces the photoconductor 20. In this state, the developing roller 510 can develop the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20.

  Further, from the state shown in FIG. 4A, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates around the rotation shaft 50e by a predetermined angle in the Z direction shown in FIG. 4A, the state shown in FIG. 4B is obtained. In the state shown in FIG. 4B, the yellow developing device 54 is located at the attach / detach position. In this state, the yellow developing device 54 can be attached / detached through the developing device attaching / detaching opening 10e, that is, can be attached to or detached from the attaching / detaching portion 50d.

  Note that the developer holding unit 50 is positioned at the home position shown in FIG. 4C after the printer 10 is turned on and the initialization operation is performed or before the printer 10 forms an image.

=== Detailed Configuration of Developing Device Holding Unit 50, Unit Electrode Plate 280, and Printer Body Electrode Plate 300 ===
Next, detailed configurations of the developing device holding unit 50, the unit electrode plate 280, and the printer main body electrode plate 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the developing device holding unit 50. FIG. 6 is a front view of the developing device holding unit 50. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where the printer body electrode plate 300 is in contact with the unit electrode plate 280. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the inner contact portion 312 is not in sliding contact with the sliding contact rib 230. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the inner contact portion 312 is in sliding contact with the sliding contact rib 230. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the printer body electrode plate 300 is in contact with the unit electrode plate 280. FIG. 11 is a front view of the circular side plate 200. FIG. 12 is a rear view of the circular side plate 200. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the sliding side rib 230 in the radial direction of the circular side plate 200. 5 to 7, the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow, the axial direction of the developing device holding unit 50 is indicated by an arrow in FIGS. 5, 7, 10, and 13, and in FIGS. 9, 11, and 13. The radial direction of the developing device holding unit 50 is indicated by an arrow, and the circumferential direction of the developing device holding unit 50 is indicated by an arrow in FIGS.

  The printer body electrode plate 300 is made of metal and is provided in the printer body 10a (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 5, the developing device holding unit 50 includes a metal unit electrode plate 280 that can come into contact with the printer main body electrode plate 300, and a main frame 58 that constitutes four attachment / detachment portions 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d. And a circular side plate 200 to which the unit electrode plate 280 is attached.

  The printer main body electrode plate 300 contacts the unit electrode plate 280 when the developing device holding unit 50 is located at a predetermined position (that is, when the developing device is located at the developing position). One end of the printer main body electrode plate 300 is fixed to the printer main body 10a with a screw (not shown) or the like, and is connected to the developing bias applying unit 125 through a conductive wire or the like. On the other hand, the other end side of the printer body electrode plate 300 is divided into two. The printer main body electrode plate 300 is provided such that one of the forked portions 310 is located on the inner side in the radial direction of the circular side plate 200 and the other forked portion 320 is located on the outer side in the radial direction. The bifurcated one 310 and the other 320 have curved curved portions 311 and 321, respectively.

  In addition, the printer main body electrode plate 300 includes an inner contact portion 312 as an example of a first contact portion on the curved portion 311 of the bifurcated one 310 and an outer surface of the curved portion 321 of the other bifurcated 320 as an example of the second contact portion. Each of the contact portions 322 is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 come into contact with the unit electrode plate 280 when the developing device holding unit 50 is located at a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner contact portion 312 is located closer to the rotation shaft 50 e than the outer contact portion 322 in the radial direction of the developing device holding unit 50.

  The unit electrode plate 280 includes a main body side electrode portion 281 (FIG. 6) with which the printer main body electrode plate 300 can contact, and a developing device side electrode portion 282 (FIG. 7) in contact with the developing device. The developing device holding unit 50 includes unit electrode plates 280 corresponding to the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54, respectively.

  The main body side electrode portion 281 is in contact with the printer main body electrode plate 300 when the developing device holding unit 50 is located at a predetermined position. The main body side electrode portion 281 has a contact surface 281a that protrudes in the axial direction and contacts the printer main body electrode plate 300 when the developing device holding unit 50 is located at the predetermined position. A conductive grease G is applied to the contacted surface 281a as shown in FIG. 10 so that the contacted surface 281a and the printer main body electrode plate 300 are properly energized.

  Regardless of the position of the developing device holding unit 50, the developing device side electrode section 282 is in contact with the developing device electrode plate 590 (FIG. 3) of the developing device. As shown in FIG. 6, the developing device side electrode portion 282 has a contact portion 282 a that contacts the developing device electrode plate 590. As described above, since the developing device electrode plate 590 is in contact with the shaft end of the developing roller 510, when the printer main body electrode plate 300 and the unit electrode plate 280 are in contact, the developing bias applying unit 125 is A developing bias is applied to the developing roller 510.

  The circular side plate 200 is made of resin, and teeth 201 (FIG. 5) are formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a main body facing surface 202 as an example of a rotating body side surface of the circular side plate 200 facing the printer main body electrode plate 300 is provided with an electrode plate mounting portion 220 as an example of a mounting portion, A sliding contact rib 230 as an example of a sliding contact portion is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the developing unit facing surface 203 of the circular side plate 200 facing the developing unit supports a positioning recess 250 fitted to the positioning pin 588 of the developing unit and the unit electrode plate 280. And an electrode plate support 252 to be provided. Further, the circular side plate 200 is provided with a fitting hole 204 that is fitted to the rotary shaft 50e. The main body facing surface 202 and the developing device facing surface 203 are orthogonal to the rotation shaft 50e.

  The teeth 201 mesh with gears (not shown) that are provided in the printer main body 10 a and transmit power to the circular side plate 200. For this reason, the circular side plate 200 has a function as a gear that rotationally drives the developing device holding unit 50.

  The electrode plate attachment portion 220 is for attaching the unit electrode plate 280. As shown in FIG. 11, four electrode plate mounting portions 220 are provided along the circumferential direction of the developing device holding unit 50, and each electrode plate mounting portion 220 has one axial end from the main body facing surface 202. Projects to the side (FIG. 10). Each electrode plate mounting portion 220 includes a mounting portion protruding surface 221 orthogonal to the axial direction, a first side surface 222 and a second side surface 223 connected to the mounting portion protruding surface 221 and parallel to the axial direction, and unit electrodes. And an attachment hole 224 for attaching the main body side electrode portion 281 of the plate 280.

  The attachment portion protruding surface 221 is a surface protruding toward one end in the axial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the attaching portion protruding surface 221 is provided so that the contacted surface 281 a of the main body side electrode portion 281 protrudes to one end side in the axial direction from the attaching portion protruding surface 221. The attachment hole 224 is formed in the attachment portion protruding surface 221 and is fitted to the main body side electrode portion 281. The attachment hole 224 is a through hole that penetrates from the attachment portion protruding surface 221 toward the developing device facing surface 203.

  The sliding contact rib 230 protrudes from the main body facing surface 202 toward one end side in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the sliding contact rib 230 is provided between the unit electrode plates 280 along the circumferential direction of the developing device holding unit 50. More specifically, the sliding contact rib 230 is configured such that only the inner contact portion 312 of the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 slides on the sliding contact rib 230 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. It is provided along the circumferential direction of the developing device holding unit 50 so as to contact (see FIG. 9).

  Further, the sliding contact rib 230 includes a rib protruding surface 231 as an example of a sliding contact portion protruding surface protruding in the axial direction of the developing device holding unit 50. The inner contact portion 312 is in sliding contact with the rib protruding surface 231 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. As shown in FIG. 13, the rib protruding surface 231 is formed so that the height of the rib protruding surface 231 from the main body facing surface 202 is constant in the radial direction.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, one end 232 of the sliding contact rib 230 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing device holding unit 50 protrudes in the axial direction from the mounting portion protruding surface 221. The electrode plate attachment portion 220 is connected. Specifically, the one end portion 232 is connected to the first side surface 222 and the mounting portion protruding surface 221 of the electrode plate mounting portion 220. Further, the rib protruding surface 231 at the one end 232 protrudes toward the one end side in the axial direction from the attachment protruding surface 221.

  Further, the other end portion 233 of the sliding contact rib 230 on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the developing device holding unit 50 is not connected to the electrode plate mounting portion 220 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the other end 233 is not connected to the second side surface 223 of the electrode plate mounting portion 220 and the mounting portion protruding surface 221. For this reason, a gap is formed between the other end 233 and the second side surface 223. A tapered portion 234 is formed on the other end side of the sliding contact rib 230. As shown in FIG. 10, the tapered portion 234 is formed so that the height of the rib protruding surface 231 from the main body facing surface 202 becomes higher toward the one end portion 232 side.

=== Rotating operation of the developing device holding unit 50 before the development bias is applied ===
The developing bias applying unit 125 applies a developing bias to the developing roller 510 of the developing device located at the developing position. For this reason, the developing device holding unit 50 rotates so that the developing device is positioned at the developing position before the developing bias is applied to the developing roller 510 of the developing device. Therefore, the rotation operation of the developing device holding unit 50 before the developing bias is applied to the developing roller 510 will be described.

  In the following, as an example of the rotation operation of the developing device holding unit 50, from when the developing bias is applied to the developing roller 510 of the yellow developing device 54 to when the developing bias is applied to the developing roller 510 of the black developing device 51. The rotation operation of the developing device holding unit 50 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the yellow developing device 54 is located at the developing position, the developing device holding unit 50 stops rotating at a predetermined position, and the inner contact portion 312 of the printer main body electrode plate 300 is stopped. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer contact portion 322 is in contact with a unit electrode plate 280 that is in contact with the developer electrode plate 590 of the yellow developer 54. Specifically, the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 are in contact with the contacted surface 281a of the main body side electrode portion 281 of the unit electrode plate 280. At this time, the developing bias applying unit 125 applies a developing bias to the developing roller 510 of the yellow developing device 54 via the printer main body electrode plate 300, the unit electrode plate 280, and the developing device electrode plate 590.

  Next, the developing device holding unit 50 rotates in the Z direction shown in FIG. 1 in order to apply a developing bias to the developing roller 510 of the black developing device 51. When the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 are in sliding contact with the contacted surface 281a. When the developing device holding unit 50 further rotates, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 do not contact the contacted surface 281a.

  Next, when the developing device holding unit 50 further rotates, the inner contact portion 312 comes into contact with the other end portion 233 of the sliding contact rib 230. When the developing device holding unit 50 further rotates, the inner contact portion 312 comes into sliding contact with the other end portion 233 (specifically, the tapered portion 234). When the developing device holding unit 50 further rotates, the inner contact portion 312 comes into sliding contact with the one end portion 232 following the other end portion 233 (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, the outer contact portion 322 does not slide on the sliding contact rib 230 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates.

  Next, when the developing device holding unit 50 further rotates, the inner contact portion 312 that is in sliding contact with the one end portion 232 contacts the unit electrode plate 280 that is in contact with the developing device electrode plate 590 of the black developing device 51. When the developing device holding unit 50 further rotates, the inner contact portion 312 is in sliding contact with the contacted surface 281a of the unit electrode plate 280, and the outer contact portion 322 that is not in sliding contact with the sliding contact rib 230 is the unit electrode. Contact plate 280. That is, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the inner contact portion 312 slidably contacting the slidable contact rib 230 contacts the unit electrode plate 280 before the outer contact portion 322. The inner contact portion 312 alternately performs sliding contact with the sliding contact rib 230 and contact with the unit electrode plate 280 as the developing device holding unit 50 rotates.

  Next, when the developing device holding unit 50 further rotates, the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 are in sliding contact with the contacted surface 281a. When the developing device holding unit 50 stops rotating at a predetermined position, the black developing device 51 is positioned at the developing position, and the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 come into contact with the contacted surface 281a. At this time, the developing bias applying unit 125 applies a developing bias to the developing roller 510 of the black developing device 51 via the printer main body electrode plate 300, the unit electrode plate 280, and the developing device electrode plate 590.

=== Effectiveness of Printer 10 According to the Present Embodiment ===
An image forming apparatus (printer 10) according to the present embodiment includes an image carrier (photoconductor 20) for carrying a latent image and a developing device (development) for developing the latent image carried on the photoconductor 20. 51, 52, 53, 54) and a rotating body (developing device holding unit 50) that includes the first electrode plate (unit electrode plate 280) and that can rotate while holding the developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54. The first contact portion (inner contact portion 312) and the second contact portion (outer contact) that contact the unit electrode plate 280 when the developer holding unit 50 is located at a predetermined position (the developer is located at the development position). Unit 322) and the second electrode plate (printer body electrode plate 300) provided in the image forming apparatus body (printer body 10a) and the developing device holding unit 50 are positioned at the predetermined position. Electrode plate 280 and the uni A developing voltage applying unit (developing bias applying unit 125) for applying a developing voltage (developing bias) to the developing device via the printer main body electrode plate 300 in contact with the developing electrode plate 280; A resin-made sliding contact portion (sliding contact rib 230) that is provided so that only the inner contact portion 312 of the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 slides when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. Have. Thereby, it is possible to realize the printer 10 in which the developing bias is appropriately applied to the developing device. This will be described in detail below.

  As described above, in order to apply the developing bias to the developing roller 510 of the developing device, the developing device holding unit 50 rotates to a predetermined position so that the developing device is located at the developing position. When the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the printer body electrode plate 300 is in sliding contact with the sliding contact rib 230. At this time, the printer body electrode plate 300 may scrape the resin-made sliding contact ribs 230. If the amount of scraping of the sliding rib 230 by the printer body electrode plate 300 becomes excessive, the developing bias applying unit 125 may not be able to appropriately apply the developing bias to the developing device.

  This will be specifically described. If the amount of scraping of the resin sliding contact rib 230 becomes excessive, a film made of the scraped resin may be formed on the contacted surface 281a of the unit electrode plate 280. When the film is formed on the contacted surface 281a, the printer body electrode plate 300 and the contacted surface 281a cannot be properly energized. For this reason, even if the developing bias applying unit 125 tries to apply the developing bias to the developing device, the developing bias may not be appropriately applied to the developing roller 510.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, only the inner contact portion 312 of the inner contact portion 312 and the outer contact portion 322 is slidably contacted rib 230. It is supposed to be in sliding contact.
In such a case, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the outer contact portion 322 of the printer body electrode plate 300 does not slide on the sliding contact rib 230. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the sliding contact rib 230 from being scraped by the outer contact portion 322, and therefore it is possible to suppress the scraping of the sliding contact rib 230 by the printer main body electrode plate 300 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates.
Therefore, in the case of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment, since the scraping of the sliding rib 230 by the printer body electrode plate 300 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates can be suppressed, a developing bias is appropriately applied to the developing device. The applied printer 10 can be realized.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The image forming apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and limits the present invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the intermediate transfer type full color laser beam printer has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer type, but a full color laser beam printer, a monochrome laser beam printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine. The present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses.

  In the above embodiment, the photoconductor as the image carrier has been described as a configuration in which the photosensitive layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical conductive base material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a so-called photosensitive belt configured by providing a photosensitive layer on the surface of a belt-like conductive substrate may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the developer holding unit 50 has the unit electrode plate 280 and the sliding contact rib 230 on the rotating body side surface (main body facing surface 202) orthogonal to the rotating shaft 50e. It was decided to have. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, one end side of the printer body electrode plate 300 is fixed to the printer body 10a, and the other end side is divided into two branches. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the printer body electrode plate 300 includes an inner contact portion 312 on one of the forked portions 310 and an outer contact portion 322 on the other forked portion 320. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner contact portion 312 is located closer to the rotation shaft 50 e than the outer contact portion 322 in the radial direction of the developing device holding unit 50. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the developing device holding unit 50 may include a unit electrode plate 280 and a sliding contact rib 230 on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  However, when the sliding contact rib 230 is provided on the main body facing surface 202, the printer per rotation of the developing device holding unit 50 is compared with the case where the sliding contact rib 230 is provided on the outer peripheral surface. The sliding contact ribs 230 that are slidably contacted by the main body electrode plate 300 can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the scraping of the sliding rib 230 by the printer main body electrode plate 300 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the printer 10 has a plurality of developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 held by the developing device holding unit 50 as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the developing device holding unit 50 includes unit electrode plates 280 corresponding to the plurality of developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the sliding contact rib 230 is provided between the unit electrode plates 280 along the circumferential direction of the developing device holding unit 50. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the inner contact portion 312 alternately performs sliding contact with the sliding contact rib 230 and contact with the unit electrode plate 280 as the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. I decided to do it. Then, when the developing device holding unit 50 is located at the predetermined position, the developing bias applying unit 125 is configured to correspond to the unit electrode plate 280 corresponding to one developing device and the printer main body electrode plate 300 that contacts the unit electrode plate 280. And a developing bias is applied to the one developing device. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the developing device holding unit 50 may hold and rotate only one developing device.
When the developing device holding unit 50 holds a plurality of developing devices, and the developing bias applying unit 125 applies a developing bias for each developing device as the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the printer 10 forms a color image. Is possible. When a color image is formed, the frequency with which the printer body electrode plate 300 contacts the sliding contact rib 230 increases. Therefore, in the above case, the effect of suppressing the scraping of the sliding contact rib 230 by the printer main body electrode plate 300 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates is more effectively achieved. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sliding contact rib 230 includes a sliding contact portion protruding surface (rib protruding surface 231) protruding in the axial direction of the developing device holding unit 50, as shown in FIG. . Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the inner contact portion 312 is in sliding contact with the rib protruding surface 231. As shown in FIG. 13, the height of the rib protruding surface 231 from the main body facing surface 202 is constant in the radial direction of the developing device holding unit 50. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the height of the rib protruding surface 231 from the main body facing surface 202 may not be constant in the radial direction.
When the height of the rib protruding surface 231 from the main body facing surface 202 is not constant in the radial direction, the inner contact portion 312 is biased to a part of the rib protruding surface 231 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. Slid in contact. For this reason, when the partial load acts on the part, the rib contact surface 231 is easily scraped by the inner contact portion 312. On the other hand, when the height of the rib protruding surface 231 from the main body facing surface 202 is constant in the radial direction (in the present embodiment), the inner contact portion 312 is rotated when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. Can slidably contact the entire rib protruding surface 231. For this reason, the uneven load is unlikely to act on the rib protruding surface 231, so that it is possible to suppress the rib protruding surface 231 from being scraped by the inner contact portion 312. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, the developing device holding unit 50 includes a resin mounting portion (electrode plate mounting portion 220) for mounting the unit electrode plate 280, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the electrode plate mounting portion 220 is formed on the mounting portion protruding surface 221 protruding in the axial direction of the rotating body and the mounting portion protruding surface 221 to which the unit electrode plate 280 is attached. Mounting holes 224. As shown in FIG. 10, the unit electrode plate 280 protrudes in the axial direction from the mounting portion protruding surface 221, and the printer body electrode plate 300 contacts when the developing device holding unit 50 is located at the predetermined position. The contacted surface 281a is provided. However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the contacted surface 281a may protrude in the axial direction as much as the attachment portion protruding surface 221.
When the contacted surface 281a protrudes in the axial direction by the same amount as the mounting portion protruding surface 221, the outer contact portion 322 slidably contacts the mounting portion protruding surface 221 before contacting the contacted surface 281a. There is a possibility that the part protrusion surface 221 may be shaved. On the other hand, when the contacted surface 281a protrudes more in the axial direction than the mounting portion protruding surface 221 (in the case of this embodiment), the mounting portion protruding surface 221 before the outer contact portion 322 contacts the contacted surface 281a. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the electrode plate mounting portion 220 from being scraped by the outer contact portion 322. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the inner contact portion 312 that is in sliding contact with the sliding rib 230 contacts the unit electrode plate 280 before the outer contact portion 322. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the outer contact portion 322 may contact the unit electrode plate 280 before the inner contact portion 312.
However, when the inner contact portion 312 contacts the unit electrode plate 280 prior to the outer contact portion 322, the inner contact portion 312 contacts the unit electrode plate 280 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. Since the outer contact portion 322 is lifted, it is possible to prevent the electrode plate mounting portion 220 from being scraped before the outer contact portion 322 contacts the unit electrode plate 280. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, one end 232 of the sliding contact rib 230 on the upstream side in the rotation direction (Z direction) of the developing device holding unit 50 is more than the mounting portion protruding surface 221. Although it has been connected to the electrode plate mounting portion 220 in a state of protruding in the axial direction, it is not limited to this. For example, the one end portion 232 of the sliding contact rib 230 may protrude in the axial direction as much as the attachment portion protruding surface 221.
However, when the one end 232 of the slidable contact rib 230 protrudes in the axial direction from the mounting portion protruding surface 221, the outer contact portion 322 becomes the electrode plate mounting portion 220 when the developing device holding unit 50 rotates. Since it is difficult to contact, it becomes possible to suppress the abrasion of the electrode plate mounting portion 220 by the outer contact portion 322. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the unit electrode plate 280 is coated with the conductive grease G. As shown in FIG. 9, the other end portion 233 of the sliding contact rib 230 on the downstream side in the rotation direction (Z direction) of the developing device holding unit 50 is not connected to the electrode plate mounting portion 220. . However, it is not limited to the above. For example, the unit grease plate 280 may not be coated with the conductive grease G.
When the conductive grease is applied to the unit electrode plate 280, the unit electrode plate 280 and the printer main body electrode plate 300 are effectively energized. When the other end portion 233 and the electrode plate mounting portion 220 are not connected, the conductive grease G is slidably contacted rib positioned between the two unit electrode plates 280 by the rotation of the developing device holding unit 50. It is possible to prevent the two unit electrode plates 280 from being energized by adhering to 230. For this reason, in the above case, the developing bias applying unit 125 can more appropriately apply the developing bias to the developing device. Therefore, the above embodiment is more desirable.

=== Configuration of Image Forming System etc. ===
Next, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 700 includes a computer 702, a display device 704, a printer 10, an input device 708, and a reading device 710.

  In this embodiment, the computer 702 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 704 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 10, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 708 uses a keyboard 708A and a mouse 708B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 710 uses a flexible disk drive device 710A and a CD-ROM drive device 710B. However, the reading device 710 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) is used. Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. An internal memory 802 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 804 are further provided in a housing in which the computer 702 is housed.

  In the above description, an example in which the printer 10 is connected to the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710 to configure the image forming system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the image forming system may include the computer 702 and the printer 10, and the image forming system may not include any of the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710.

  For example, the printer 10 may have a part of each function or mechanism of the computer 702, the display device 704, the input device 708, and the reading device 710. As an example, the printer 10 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  The image forming system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main components constituting the printer. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit 100 of the printer 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a yellow developing device 54. FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the developing device holding unit and the like when the yellow developing device is located at the developing position. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the developing device holding unit and the like when the yellow developing device is located at the attachment / detachment position. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating the developing device holding unit and the like when the developing device holding unit is located at the home position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a developing device holding unit 50. 2 is a front view of a developing device holding unit 50. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a printer main body electrode plate 300 is in contact with a unit electrode plate 280. It is the figure which showed the state in which the inner side contact part 312 is not slidably contacted to the to-be-slidable contact rib 230. FIG. It is the figure which showed the state which the inner side contact part 312 is slidingly contacting the to-be-slidable contact rib 230. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state where a printer main body electrode plate 300 is in contact with a unit electrode plate 280. 3 is a front view of a circular side plate 200. FIG. 4 is a rear view of a circular side plate 200. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a sliding side rib 230 in a radial direction of a circular side plate 200. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 printer, 10a printer main body, 10e developing device mounting opening, 20 photoconductor,
30 charging unit, 40 exposure unit, 50 developer holding unit,
50a, 50b, 50c, 50d Detachable part, 50e Rotating shaft, 51 Black developer,
52 magenta developer, 53 cyan developer, 54 yellow developer,
58 main frame, 60 primary transfer unit, 70 intermediate transfer member,
75 photoconductor unit, 76 cleaning blade, 80 secondary transfer unit,
90 fixing unit, 92 paper feed tray, 94 paper feed roller,
95 display units, 96 registration rollers,
100 control unit, 101 main controller,
102 unit controller, 112 interface, 113 image memory,
125 development bias application section,
200 circular side plate, 201 teeth, 202 main body facing surface, 203 developing device facing surface,
220 electrode plate mounting portion, 221 mounting portion protruding surface, 222 first side surface,
223 second side surface, 224 mounting hole, 230 sliding contact rib, 231 rib protruding surface,
232 one end part, 233 other end part, 234 taper part, 250 positioning recess,
252 electrode plate support, 252a screw hole, 280 unit electrode plate,
281 Main body side electrode part, 281a Contact surface, 282 Developer side electrode part,
282a contact part,
300 Printer body electrode plate, 310 One of two forks, 311 Curved part,
312 inner contact part, 320 bifurcated other, 321 curved part, 322 outer contact part,
510 developing roller, 540 housing, 585 cover,
588 positioning pins, 590 developing device electrode plate, 591 electrode plate exposed portion,
700 image forming system, 702 computer, 704 display device,
708 input device, 708A keyboard, 708B mouse, 710 reader,
710A flexible disk drive device,
710B CD-ROM drive device,
802 internal memory, 804 hard disk drive unit,
G conductive grease, T toner

Claims (10)

An image carrier for carrying a latent image;
A developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier;
A rotating body comprising a first electrode plate and capable of rotating while holding the developing device;
A second electrode plate provided on the image forming apparatus main body, including a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at a predetermined position;
Development for applying a developing voltage to the developing device via the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in contact with the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. A voltage application unit;
A resin-made sliding contact portion that is provided on the rotating body, and only the first contact portion is in sliding contact among the first contact portion and the second contact portion when the rotating body rotates;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The rotating body includes the first electrode plate and the slidable contact portion on a rotating body side surface orthogonal to the rotation axis,
One end side of the second electrode plate is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the other end side is divided into two branches.
The second electrode plate includes the first contact portion on one of the forked portions and the second contact portion on the other of the forked portions,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first contact portion is positioned closer to the rotation shaft than the second contact portion in the radial direction of the rotating body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
A plurality of the developing devices held by the rotating body;
The rotating body includes the first electrode plate corresponding to each of the plurality of developing devices,
The sliding contact portion is provided between the first electrode plates along the circumferential direction of the rotating body,
The first contact portion alternately performs sliding contact with the sliding contact portion and contact with the first electrode plate as the rotating body rotates,
The developing voltage application unit is configured to pass through the first electrode plate corresponding to one developing device and the second electrode plate contacting the first electrode plate when the rotating body is positioned at the predetermined position. An image forming apparatus that applies the developing voltage to the one developing device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The sliding contact portion includes a sliding contact portion protruding surface protruding in the axial direction of the rotating body,
When the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion is in sliding contact with the sliding contact portion protruding surface,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a height of the protruding surface of the sliding contact portion from the side surface of the rotating body is constant in the radial direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein:
The rotating body is
A mounting portion made of resin for mounting the first electrode plate, the mounting portion protruding surface protruding in the axial direction of the rotating body, and the mounting portion protruding surface, the first electrode plate being mounted A mounting portion having a mounting hole,
With
The first electrode plate is
A surface to be contacted that projects in the axial direction from the projecting surface of the mounting portion and contacts the second electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion slidably contacting the slidable contact portion contacts the first electrode plate before the second contact portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:
One end of the sliding contact portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body is connected to the mounting portion in a state of protruding in the axial direction from the mounting portion protruding surface. Image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
Conductive grease is applied to the first electrode plate,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the other end portion of the sliding contact portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body is not connected to the attachment portion. An image carrier for carrying a latent image;
A developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier;
A rotating body comprising a first electrode plate and capable of rotating while holding the developing device;
A second electrode plate provided on the image forming apparatus main body, including a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at a predetermined position;
Development for applying a developing voltage to the developing device via the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in contact with the first electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position. A voltage application unit;
A resin-made sliding contact portion that is provided on the rotating body, and only the first contact portion is in sliding contact among the first contact portion and the second contact portion when the rotating body rotates;
Have
The rotating body includes the first electrode plate and the slidable contact portion on a rotating body side surface orthogonal to the rotation axis,
One end side of the second electrode plate is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the other end side is divided into two branches.
The second electrode plate includes the first contact portion on one of the forked portions and the second contact portion on the other of the forked portions,
The first contact portion is located closer to the rotation shaft than the second contact portion in the radial direction of the rotating body,
A plurality of the developing devices held by the rotating body;
The rotating body includes the first electrode plate corresponding to each of the plurality of developing devices,
The sliding contact portion is provided between the first electrode plates along the circumferential direction of the rotating body,
The first contact portion alternately performs sliding contact with the sliding contact portion and contact with the first electrode plate as the rotating body rotates,
The developing voltage application unit is configured to pass through the first electrode plate corresponding to one developing device and the second electrode plate contacting the first electrode plate when the rotating body is positioned at the predetermined position. Applying the developing voltage to the one developing device,
The sliding contact portion includes a sliding contact portion protruding surface protruding in the axial direction of the rotating body,
When the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion is in sliding contact with the sliding contact portion protruding surface,
The height of the sliding contact portion protruding surface from the side surface of the rotating body is constant in the radial direction,
The rotating body is
A mounting portion made of resin for mounting the first electrode plate, the mounting portion protruding surface protruding in the axial direction of the rotating body, and the mounting portion protruding surface, the first electrode plate being mounted A mounting portion having a mounting hole,
With
The first electrode plate is
A surface to be contacted that projects in the axial direction from the projecting surface of the mounting portion and contacts the second electrode plate when the rotating body is located at the predetermined position;
Have
When the rotating body rotates, the first contact portion that is in sliding contact with the sliding contact portion contacts the first electrode plate before the second contact portion,
One end of the sliding contact portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body is connected to the mounting portion in a state of protruding in the axial direction from the mounting portion protruding surface,
Conductive grease is applied to the first electrode plate,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the other end portion of the sliding contact portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating body is not connected to the attachment portion. Computer, and
An image forming apparatus connectable to the computer, comprising: an image carrier for carrying a latent image; a developing device for developing the latent image carried on the image carrier; and a first electrode plate An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotating body capable of holding and rotating the developing device; and a first contact portion and a second contact portion that contact the first electrode plate when the rotating body is positioned at a predetermined position. When the second electrode plate provided in the main body and the rotating body is located at the predetermined position, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in contact with the first electrode plate, A developing voltage application unit for applying a developing voltage to the developing device, and the first contact unit that is provided in the rotating body, and the first contact unit and the second contact unit are rotated when the rotating body rotates. An image forming apparatus having a sliding contact portion made of a resin that only contacts
An image forming system comprising: